5 small changes for better living

The weekly micro-decorating newsletter * Issue 4 of 13, SS23 *
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As unofficial summer turns into official summer, it's a great time to reduce friction at home with some easy design tweaks. Here are five things I recommend to prep for more relaxed days ahead, all tested and approved in my own space:

Entryway

What you bring through your front door matters – but so does what you keep out. A few years ago, I put a "no flyers" sticker on my mailbox, and that simple act of refusal made my foyer an uncluttered oasis. What I gained in tranquility far outweighed what I may have lost in unused coupons and unclaimed deals. Couple it with ensuring all your bills and financial statements are digital, and you'll make arriving home a breeze. These days all I take in with me are The New Yorker and the occasional greeting card, two things well worth the paper.

Living room

Gallery walls are high-impact ways to anchor a space, but when you tire of your jigsaw puzzle of artworks, it's hard to change it. Wall ledges are a way to do the drilling and screwing once and for all, allowing for fluid arrangements that can keep pace with your moods. I recommend going for a transparent acrylic version to give a floating effect to whatever you display. For more inspiration, check out my article on how to reveal your home's hidden treasures.

Kitchen

Preparing a summer drink calls for icecubes. But a standard freezer tray leaves an avenue of delight completely unconsidered – the shape of the cube. A few years ago, while shopping in a Montreal housewares store, I picked up a silicon tray that turns out perfectly squared-off cubes and it's been my go-to ever since. You can learn more in my article in praise of icecubes. Of course, there are other shape possibilities too, like lemon slices. Once you start down this pathway, who knows where you'll end up?

Bedroom

Bringing ease to your bedroom starts with rethinking how you fall asleep and wake up. Are you giving yourself the time and space for truly regenerative sleep? For years, my trusty nighttime sidekick was my cell phone – until I realized how much mental clutter it was bringing along with it. Last fall, I tried switching to an analog alarm clock and it completely transformed how I rest up for the next day. Find out more in my piece in praise of alarm clocks.

Closet

I used to hate hanging up t-shirts and sweaters. It was a choice between fumbling with a hanger from the inside to get the hook through the neck opening, or trying from the top and potentially stretching the fabric. Recently, I discovered a cleverly designed hanger at the Japanese retailer Muji, whose shape allows you to easily slip it through the neck opening. After I experienced the difference firsthand, I went back and bought a whole bunch more – a true convert. When design turns a chore into a pleasure, you know you've landed on something good.

Got any tips for making life easier at home? Jump into the Comments section below and share your wisdom with fellow readers.

See you next Wednesday,